Forums

ADHD and performance enhancing

Sort:
TheRealSkoll

I have ADHD and I get medicated with Lisdexamphetamine.. Now, it's probably not relevant, but I was wondering.. Since it's considered a performance enhancing drug, would I be automatically disqualified to play in any official tournaments? Also, would it go against Chess.com's fair play policy, since it is technically assistance?

justbefair

This was asked and extensively answered several years ago: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/medication-in-tournaments

TheRealSkoll
justbefair wrote:

This was asked and extensively answered several years ago: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/medication-in-tournaments

Thanks! That was actually an incredibly helpful answer!
So it's not allowed for tournaments without a documented diagnosis and application for use, is what I gathered, but it doesn't answer the question about Chess.com allowing it here for online "normal" ranked chess. If it's not allowed in tournaments, would it be cheating here, or even just "immoral" to play while medicated?

ea914
Hey I’m on that too!
NoHablasEnglish

In official tournaments or let's say over the board tournaments ADHD meds like Lisdexamphetamine are seen as performance enhancers so you’d usually need a *Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)* from a doctor to avoid disqualification. This exemption shows it's prescribed for a medical need

On Chess.com the fair play rules focus on stopping engine or outside tool use not personal medications so your ADHD meds aren’t likely to be a problem. You can always communicate with their support and get then to confirm this for peace of mind

sad_gurrl

Sounds like cheating to me. Any quack shrink can write you a note if you pay him enough.

TheRealSkoll
sad_gurrl wrote:

Sounds like cheating to me. Any quack shrink can write you a note if you pay him enough.

Nah. Only specialized psychiatrists can prescribe stimulants for ADHD. So not only a licensed medical doctor and specialized in psychiatry, but ALSO specialized in attention disorders.
As for the requirements for diagnosis, it might be different in some countries, but most countries use the international standards, and that is a very... time-consuming process..
But yeah, it is kinda easy to get illegally, but that's not my concern. My concern is legal prescriptions, and the impact it would have on my ability to play on Chess.com.

TheRealSkoll
NoHablasEnglish wrote:

In official tournaments or let's say over the board tournaments ADHD meds like Lisdexamphetamine are seen as performance enhancers so you’d usually need a *Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)* from a doctor to avoid disqualification. This exemption shows it's prescribed for a medical need

On Chess.com the fair play rules focus on stopping engine or outside tool use not personal medications so your ADHD meds aren’t likely to be a problem. You can always communicate with their support and get then to confirm this for peace of mind

You're absolutely right! imma contact support to figure this out. Thank you <3